Canes pass. You're not getting that for a rental from Carolina. No way.

It's a damn shame the Jets can't afford Smith's contract next year because I think that would be a good deal for both sides.

The Jets aren't helping Pittsburgh out by paying to take a bad contract off their hands.

It's not a bad contract. It so Smith can help a contender.

the penguins aren't trading malkin, just go sit down with that.

Why would the islanders want carter lol

That's a big fat no on Carter....

-Doesn't make sense for Carolina to trade a current lineup positive for a rental. I think you could do Morrow & a pick for Guentzel fully retained but they're not going to move their 3rd best scorer at the deadline. Contenders typically aren't going to want to subtract from their top-6 at the deadline, even if they're bringing in a better player.

-I think Colorado would consider it but I wouldn't think they're giving up Behrens for a rental backup goalie and a 7th D type. I think it would be more likely that they do a mid-round pick for Ned and strip away all the extra moving parts here.

-No idea why the Islanders do this. Even ignoring the NMC that probably only gets waived for a legit contender, you have the fact that Carter has been bad, the fact that the Isles have more than enough depth at C (Horvat-Nelson-Pageau-Cizikas with Barzal ready to slide back over from wing if necessary) and the fact that the Isles have very limited cap space and have more pressing needs.

-As a Jets fan said upthread, Smith would be an interesting fit but kind of handcuffs them this summer. They only have about $13M available with 11F / 4 D / 1 G under contract next year and Cole Perfetti needing a new deal. I think that if he's a rental, it's a go; but the extra year of term actually makes it tough for the Jets to go ahead.

-Same as above - I can't see the Knights moving a solid middle 6 player in Stephenson to bring in a modest upgrade to Malkin. Stephenson's in the last year of a $2.75M AAV deal and has 36 points in 57 GP; Malkin has two more years at $6.1M and has 45 points in 58 GP. It's a modest increase in production for more than double the cap hit, with extra term that will make this summer harder for the Knights (similar to Winnipeg, they only have about $13M in cap space this offseason), and they're adding in a 2nd rounder for all of that. VGK passes.

The Jets can't afford to get stuck with Reilly next year. They have RFA's needing raises.

So, it's bad in the sense that he fills no need now and isn't wanted next year.